The Health Commissioner of Muskingum County is asking for a renewal levy to be put on the November ballot.

Corey Hamilton met with the Muskingum County Commissioners Monday morning to discuss the levy.

Hamilton said the current one mill, ten year levy is set to expire at the end of the year, and a renewal is needed to help balance the budget at the Health Department.

"That's about 47% of the total funds that the Health Department uses, about 30% of our funds come from fees and the rest of our funds come from state and federal grants that we apply for," said Hamilton.

According to Hamilton, if approved, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay approximately $30 a year on the proposed levy.

She adds that the money brought in from the levy will help to offset the cost of crucial local programs, including mosquito spraying.

"It's important because we all know now that mosquitos carry the West Nile Virus and so we want to keep those mosquito populations down so that people first of all don't get bitten, and miserable, but also then don't run the risk of getting the disease," added Hamilton

The Commissioners must approve the request for the levy in order for it to appear before voters in the November election.